by Old Mentz | Apr 17, 2022 | Uncategorized
The Port Byron Family Tree (PBFT) is a project with a goal of discovering connections. Most people or groups are added when we at Lock 52 receive a research request (like the Peck family) or find a photo (such as Otis Critchett) and we want to see how they fit into...
by Old Mentz | Mar 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
We have been working on the Port Byron Family Tree project for about a year now. As of March 20, 2022, we have entered 4964 people. Although to be fair, with some families I have chased the linage back to the Mayflower or Europe to see how people might be related. I...
by Old Mentz | Mar 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
When I run out of ideas for my monthly Citizen column, I turn to the old Port Byron Chronicles for some inspiration. This is where I found these two articles about the old Erie Canal. The first is an article about how the construction of the new telephone building on...
by Old Mentz | Jan 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
Frank Avery Skilton died in 1931, and it is likely few of you have heard of him. And, he was not a resident of Port Byron or Mentz. So why I am writing about him? Well, his name kept coming up as I searched for ancestors to add to the Port Byron family tree. He fist...
by Old Mentz | Nov 30, 2021 | Uncategorized
Over the past year the Lock 52 Historical Society has added to its collection of Regina Gates paintings. The most recent painting was donated by a lady from Norwich, NY who wished to see the painting returned to its Port Byron home. This donation led the members of...